The Northwest Missouri State baseball team picked up a Saturday split on the final day of the series with Cameron University at McCord Field in Lawton, Okla. Northwest dropped the first game 9-6 but rebounded to win the night cap, 5-4. Both teams are now .500 for the season as the Bearcats move to 3-3 while Cameron is 5-5.

Game one

Northwest fell behind early as Cameron scored once in the bottom of the first. Austin Wulf hit the first of his two solo home runs in the top of the second, tying the score, 1-1. Northwest would take the lead in the third as BrandonHuske hit an RBI double, scoring Jon Pomatto. In the bottom of the third, Cameron scored three times, taking a 4-2 lead.

Wulf homered for a second time in the fourth, bringing the Bearcats to within one, 4-3. In the fifth, Paul Johnson got in on the act, homering to begin the inning and tying the score, 4-4. But Cameron took advantage of two Bearcat errors and scored five runs on four hits in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead for good, 9-4. Northwest would score a run in the sixth as Johnson doubled to score Pomatto and again in the seventh as Blake Hardegree singled to score Ryan Abernathy.

Ryker Fox took the loss after pitching 4.1 innings, striking out four.

Game two

Northwest rallied from a late deficit to beat the Aggies in the second game of the day. Zac Ferreira doubled to start the third and scored on a Huske sacrifice fly. In the sixth, Huske singled to lead off and Johnson doubled to left. Eric McGlauflin singled to drive both of them in. Cameron would score in the sixth, giving the Aggies a 4-3 lead.

In the seventh, Hardegree scored on an Alex Singleton two-out single to tie the game, 4-4. In the top of the ninth, Northwest loaded the bases and Abernathy drew a one-out walk to score Singleton and gave the Bearcats the lead. In the bottom of the ninth, Cameron would put runners on second and third but with two outs, Pomatto struck out the final hitter, giving Northwest the 5-4 win.

Austin Warren started and went 5.1 innings, giving up four runs and nine hits. Brian Schmiedt picked up the win after pitching the eighth inning. Pomatto moved from right field and pitched the final inning for his first save of the year.

Northwest will open the MIAA season on Thursday with road games against Nebraska-Kearney starting at noon. The teams will play a pair of seven-inning contests.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State softball team came out swinging in day two of the Arkansas-Monticello 8-State Classic, defeating Harding University, 13-5, in game one and Illinois-Springfield in game two, 4-1.

Chantel Adams had a coming out party with the bat in game one, driving in her first collegiate home run over the fence in the first inning to put her team up 3-0. Adams wasn’t done as she stepped to the plate in the third inning. The freshman promptly deposited her second home run of the game over the left field fence. Adams finished the game 3 for 3 with one walk and four RBIs.

Taszia Roseberry got in on the long ball action with her first home run of the season coming in the top of the sixth inning. Roseberry finished with two RBI’s.

Kristin Uthe added three RBI’s of her own , while Torri Blythe and Steph Mark accounted for the final two runs batted in in the 13-5 victory.

Pitcher Stephanie Baldwin earned her first win of the season going the distance for the complete game while giving up only five hits and striking out five.

Game two was a tightly fought contest from the start as Illinois-Springfield jumped out to a one run lead in the first inning.

Uthe singled in Jordan Ereth in the third inning to tie the game at 1-1. Later in the same inning, Torrie Blythe scored off a sacrifice fly by Mark to give her team the 2-1 lead.

Maddie Jones crossed the plate in the fourth inning when Torrie Blythe singled up the middle to give the Bearcats an insurance run to put them up, 3-1.

Northwest was able to get across one more run in the bottom of the sixth when Uthe knocked in her second RBI of the game.

Abbie Vitosh was stellar from the circle as she allowed one run over seven innings while striking out six on her way to the 4-1 victory.

The Bearcats move to 2-2 on the season and will play their final two games of the Classic on Sunday. Northwest will take on Quincy University in game onewith first pitch slated for 1:30 pm. Game two is scheduled to start at 3:30 pm against Northwestern Oklahoma State.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State baseball team split a road doubleheader with Cameron University on Friday afternoon at McCord Field in Lawton, Okla. The Bearcats fell in the first game, 5-0, but rebounded to win the nightcap, 8-4. Northwest is an even 2-2 on the year and the Aggies move to 4-4 overall. The first game was a seven-inning game and the second contest was nine innings.

Game one

The Bearcats got a first inning hit from Ryan Abernathy but were unable to figure out the Aggie pitching combination of Drew Reidt and Jacob Winters, falling 5-0. Northwest had four errors in the contest.

Rob Henrichs started on the mound and pitched four innings, giving up five runs on six hits. Only one of the runs was earned. Cameron scored one unearned run in the first, followed by a pair in the second and third innings.

Game two

Northwest picked up a first-inning run as Eric McGlauflin singled in Abernathy who had a two-out double. In the second, Austin Wulf scored on a Zack Ferreira single after reaching on an error to begin the inning.

The Bearcats broke it open in the third inning, scoring three runs on a two-out, bases loaded double by Steve Garber. After Cameron added a run in the bottom of the inning, Northwest scored another run in the top of the fourth as Jon Pomatto hit the Bearcats’ first home run of the year. In the sixth, Ferreira doubled to begin the inning and scored on an error. Pomatto, who singled after Ferreira, scored on a wild pitch to give Northwest an 8-3 lead.

Pomatto, Wulf and Abernathy each scored two runs for Northwest. Garber had three RBI while Huske, McGlauflin, Ferreira and Pomatto each had multi-hit games.

Kole Klocko started the game and went 3.1 innings, allowing three runs on five hits. Blane Reutter picked up the win, pitching 4.2 innings in relief, allowing one run on three hits. Brian Schmiedt pitched a perfect ninth, striking out the side.

Up next, Northwest will play another doubleheader tomorrow against Cameron,starting at noon. The games will again be a seven-inning game followed by anine-inning contest.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State softball team opened its season at the Arkansas-Monticello 8-State Classic Friday where the Bearcats fell to Arkansas Tech., 9-4, in game one and SW Oklahoma St. in game two, 4-0.

Arkansas Tech took an early lead going up 5-0 in the top of the second inning.

Northwest was able to get on the board in the bottom of the third inning when Baylee Scarbrough singled in Paige Orwig from second.

Chantel Adams and Kailee Sherer both crossed home plate in the fifth inning to bring the Bearcats within two, down 5-3.

ATU pushed four runs across in the top of the sixth inning while Northwest was only able to answer with one run the rest of the way out as they fell, 9-4.Sarah Baldwin was tagged with the loss in game one.

Abbie Vitosh took the circle in game two for the Bearcats. Vitosh gave up four runs in the first inning and then proceeded to shut down the SWOSU offense holding them to three hits in seven innings.

The offense was shutout for Northwest as they struggled, leaving seven runners on base in the game.

Adams went 2 for 3 in game two after going 2 for 2 in game one.

Vitosh went the distance earning the complete game while taking her first loss of the season.

The Bearcats will turn around and play Saturday as they take on Harding in game one with first pitch scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Northwest will take on Illinois-Springfield in game two, which is slated to start at 11:30 am.

— Northwest Sports Information —

Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team stayed in the locker room at halftime until about 30 seconds remained.

Coach Ben McCollum had plenty to say to his first-place Bearcats, who faced a 14-point deficit at Missouri Southern.

The Bearcats came out with renewed energy and quickly closed to seven points before the first media timeout. In fact, Southern was forced to call a timeout to stem the momentum the Bearcats were riding.

Ultimately, Wednesday evening belonged to Southern. Northwest saw its 10-game winning streak end with an 82-68 loss at Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

“They came out ready to play,” said Northwest senior DeShaun Cooper, who finished with 22 points. “We came out lackadaisical and weren’t ready at all. They just outplayed us, out toughed us. They were the better team today as you can tell by the score.”

However, Northwest, 18-6 overall, remains in first place in the MIAA with an impressive 13-2 record. It was the Bearcats first road loss in conference play.

Northwest has a week to prepare for its next game, a home contest against Lindenwood on Feb. 19.

“We have to get each other tougher and come at each other tomorrow and man-up,” Cooper said.

The Bearcats showed plenty of fight early in the second half after Southern opened with a three-pointer that increased its lead to 43-26.

Northwest went on a 10-0 run, getting six points from center Dillon Starzl. The Bearcats were back in the game, trailing 43-36.

“We needed to look inside ourselves and toughen up, which we did at the start of the second half,” said Starzl, who finished with 11 points and eight rebounds. “I thought we were making a good push and then it went down again.

“And then we stopped getting stops. We stopped getting offensive rebounds. We stopped boxing out on the defensive end. They got a lot of offensive rebounds and put backs. That’s why we lost the game.”

Southern, which improved to 16-5 and 10-4, showed the poise of a team fighting for one of the top four seeds in the conference tournament.

A long three-pointer by Austin Wright pushed the Lions lead to 46-36. Northwest answered with a three-pointer from freshman Zach Schneider.

The Bearcats just couldn’t generate enough offense to keep pace with Southern. Back-to-back three-point plays from Lane Barlow and Marquis Addison gave Southern a 52-39 lead.

Northwest faced a double-digit deficit the rest of the way. The dagger came with 7:05 left when Addison hit a three-pointer for a 61-45 lead for the Lions. Twenty seconds later, Addison added a field goal, making it 63-45.

Northwest played one of those first halves when very little went right as the 40-26 halftime deficit proved.

“At the beginning of the game, we were not focused,” Starzl said. “I don’t know what it was. I don’t know if we were scared of Southern because we knew they were going to come out ready for us because we beat them at home.”

The shooting stats bear out the one-sided nature of the first half. The Bearcats made only nine of 29 from the field for 31 percent compared to 53 percent for Southern.

The only lead Northwest held in the game was 2-0. Southern, though, quickly built a 14-5 lead and maintained control throughout the first half.

Only Cooper found some success for Northwest in the first half. He was 3-for-5 from the field and scored seven points in the first half. But Cooper picked up his third foul with 6 seconds left in the first half, putting him in a bind for the second half.

Nobody else for the Bearcats made more than one field goal.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The four-game winning streak by Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team came to a screeching halt because the Bearcats surrendered too many offensive rebounds.

The 19 offensive boards by Missouri Southern gave the Lions enough second-chance points to pull out a 64-60 overtime victory over Northwest evening at Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

“It came down to rebounding,” Northwest coach Michael Smith said. “We knew that was going to be the difference. The last three games they (Lions) lost, the team that led in second-chance points was the team that won.”

Northwest was outscored 19-5 in second chance points so it was amazing they took the game to overtime and even held a four-point lead late in overtime.

The loss dropped Northwest to 9-13 overall and 6-9 in the MIAA, but Smith and the Bearcats leave Joplin encouraged. They nearly pulled out an upset road win against the fifth place team in the MIAA.

“For us to come on the road and play a team like that, give up 19 offensive rebounds and have 23 turnovers and take them to overtime, say a lot about our kids’ heart and fight,” Smith said. “We have some kids who are really starting to play well for us.

“I told our kids now we start a new streak.”

Fatigue played a part in the Bearcats sluggish second half.

“We are playing with a pretty short rotation right now,” Smith said. “We got away from our defensive game plan a little bit.”

Northwest made just five of 25 shots from the field in the second half. Still, the Bearcats led most of the second half until Southern went in front 51-50 with just over a minute left.

Northwest regained the lead with 33 seconds left on a 15-foot jumper by freshman Shelby Mustain. Mustain finished with 13 points and seven rebounds.

“She stepped up and made some big baskets for us,” Smith said.

Southern made one free throw to tie the game. Northwest failed to convert in the final play of regulation.

The Bearcats appeared to be in control in overtime when Ariel Easton made a three-pointer with 1:14 left, giving Northwest a 60-56 lead.

Northwest played in a panic mode the rest of the way. The Bearcats committed a couple of turnovers and failed to run the offensive plays Smith called.

The Bearcats finished the game with 23 turnovers. In the second half and overtime, Northwest was six for 31 from the field.

“We had some crucial turnovers at costly times,” Smith said,

Northwest, though, played as a team as four players scored in double figures. Junior Annie Mathews finished with a double-double, scoring 12 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.

The way the Bearcats played in the second half was in sharp contrast to the beautiful brand of offensive basketball they put on display in the first half.

Senior Meridee Scott already scored a season-high 10 points in the first half, propelling the Bearcats to a 33-28 halftime lead.

In the first 10 minutes, there were four lead changes. Northwest took the lead for good at 12-10 on two free throws by Ashleigh Nelson. It was part of a 12-0 run, which saw the Bearcats go from a 10-7 deficit to a 19-10 lead. During the run, Scott scored a couple of baskets.

Scott followed with two more field goals, helping Northwest build a 23-12 lead. The Bearcats appeared in complete control until a few unforced turnovers allowed Southern to close to 23-21. Northwest stopped Southern’s 9-0 run on a basket by Monique Stevens.

Offensively, the Bearcats were very good from the field, making 13 of 23 shots for a blistering 57 percent.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State football team has released its 2014 schedule. Northwest will have six designated home contests and five road games.

The 2015 schedule will keep the same order of opponents but will just switch home/away field designations. Game times and promotions for the 2014 seasonalong with the dates for the 2015 schedule will be released at a later date.

Northwest will open the 2014 season at Bearcat Stadium against Nebraska-Kearney on either Sept. 4 or 6. The team will open its road schedule the following weekend at Missouri Southern on Sept. 11. The remainder of the home slate includes Central Missouri (9/20), Northeastern State (10/4), Pittsburg State (10/18), Missouri Western (11/1) and Washburn (11/15). The Bearcats will travel to Central Oklahoma (9/27), Lindenwood (10/11), Fort Hays State (10/25) andEmporia State (11/8).

2014 Homecoming has been set for October 18, when Northwest will host Pittsburg State at Bearcat Stadium. The matchup between the two programs has been held at Arrowhead Stadium for the past 12 seasons but will return to campus sites beginning in 2014. Northwest will play in Pittsburg, Kan., during
the 2015 slate.

“Our 2014 schedule features some outstanding home games highlighted by the Homecoming match with Pittsburg State,” said director of athletics Mel Tjeerdsma. “Obviously, we will miss the opportunity of having this game at Arrowhead Stadium. The Fall Classic was a great game held in an outstanding venue, featuring two of the top programs in Division II football. It was a great partnership between the Chiefs, Pittsburg State and Northwest Missouri.

“After considerable thought and discussion, we mutually agreed to move the game back to campus. We want to thank the Chiefs organization for their enthusiastic support of this great rivalry. They have helped provide many cherished memories for the student-athletes, coaches and fans of both Pittsburg State and Northwest Missouri. We would also like to thank the loyal fans of both schools for their support in making the Fall Classic a success.”

Game times and additional promotions for the 2014 season will be released at a later date. Northwest has set the 2014 Spring Game for Saturday, Apr. 12, at 11 a.m. in Bearcat Stadium.

Sept. 4 or 6 vs. Nebraska-Kearney
Sept. 11 @ Missouri Southern
Sept. 20 vs. Central Missouri
Sept. 27 @ Central Oklahoma
Oct. 4 vs. Northeastern State
Oct. 11 @ Lindenwood
Oct. 18 vs. Pittsburg State
Oct. 25 @ Fort Hays State
Nov. 1 vs. Missouri Western
Nov. 8 @ Emporia State
Nov. 15 vs. Washburn

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State baseball team opened the 2014 season with a double header split against Northwestern Oklahoma State on Monday. Northwest won the first game, 17-2, but fell in the nightcap, 3-1. The games were each seven innings and were played at West Texas A&M’s Wilder Park due to weather conditions at Northwestern Oklahoma State. The Bearcats are now 1-1 on the season while NW Oklahoma State moved to 4-1.

Game 1

Northwest wasted no time getting on the board early, scoring five first inning runs while batting around. With the bases loaded, Jon Pomatto singled, scoring Brandon Huske and Paul Johnson. Steve Garber singled in Ryan Abernathy one batter later. Blake Hardegree had a two-out single, scoring Garrett Fort and Garber. In the second, Fort and Hardegree each drew bases loaded walks to push Northwest’s lead to seven.

In the third, Eric McGlauflin had a sacrifice fly to score Huske. Garber drew another bases loaded walk to score Johnson. Fort reached on a fielder’s choice as Pomatto and Abernathy scored on the play.

Northwest would score again in the fourth, adding six runs. McGlauflin tripled to score Abernathy and Huskey. Hardegree picked up his RBI number five on asingle that scored Pomatto and McGlauflin. With the bases loaded, Huske was hit by a pitch and Johnson walked.

Huske and Johnson each scored three runs for Northwest. Hardgree had five RBI, followed by McGlauflin and Fort with three each. On the mound, Ryker Fox went four innings with six strikeouts. Kole Klocko picked up the win after pitching the fifth for the Bearcats.

Game 2

Northwestern Oklahoma scored two first inning runs and added another one in the third to win the second game of the day, 3-1. Austin Warren started and pitched four innings for the Bearcats, striking out three while allowing three runs. Northwest’s lone run came in the third inning as Huske grounded into a fielder’s choice, scoring Fort who had singled to start the inning.

Up next, Northwest will head to Lawton, Okla., to play at Cameron University in a two-game series starting on Friday, Feb. 14.

— Northwest Sports Information —

Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball senior DeShaun Cooper was named the MIAA Athlete of the Week on Monday in an announcement made from the conference office on Monday. It is the second time this season that Cooper has earned conference honors this season.

In games against Missouri Western and Lincoln, Cooper averaged 29 points per game, leading the Bearcats to a pair of victories. Against Missouri Western, Cooper hit four three pointers and scored 23 points to go along with three assists. On Saturday against Lincoln, Cooper scored a career-high 35 points on 13-for-20 shooting, hitting three three-pointers and grabbing six rebounds.Cooper is now just eight points shy (1,492) from hitting the 1,500 career point mark.

Cooper was named the MIAA Athlete of the Week on Jan. 27, following a 35 point performance against Missouri Southern.

Northwest has already clinched a berth in the 2013-14 MIAA Tournament and currently leads the conference with a 13-1 record (18-5 overall). The Bearcats will play Missouri Southern on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in Joplin, Mo.

— Northwest Sports Information —

Make it 10 straight wins for the Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team as the Bearcats defeated Lincoln University Saturday, 97-78.

The Bearcats came out on fire in the first half, shooting 52 percent from the floor as they jumped out to an early lead.

DeShaun Cooper led all scorers in the first half with 15 points.

Early in the second half, Dillon Starzl put in his 1,000th career point three years, two months and 25 days after scoring his first bucket as a Bearcat.

“I was never really worried about it,” Starzl said on scoring his 1,000th point. “I was more concerned with winning the game. It’s a great accomplishment, I have loved my time here at Northwest, but I just need to keep contributing to the team’s success this season.”

The Blue Tigers kept the game close in the beginning of the second half trailing, at one point, by three. Northwest then turned on the offense and began to pull away.

Cooper had his second 30 point performance of the season, finishing with a career high 35 points.

Starzl finished the game with 14 points while pulling down three rebounds. Conner Crooker had 11 points while Grant Cozad had 10. Bryston Williams had 10 points with four assists and three steals.

The 10 game winning streak is the longest under head coach Ben McCollum. Northwest improved to 18-5 on the season and 13-1 in the MIAA. The Bearcats will head to Missouri Southern to take on the Lions Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

— Northwest Sports Information —